I thought the Knicks were gonna lose a series before it started. As I said the Pacers are pathetically underrated. Coaching matters and they have the best coach in the league. They beat the crap out of the number one seed.
The Pacers are very good, in the best-case scenario this was going to be a long coin toss series, but everything changed with the way the Knicks lost game 1. It essentially took any competitive mental battle out of the series. To me, everything has to be viewed differently after the game 1 epic all-time collapse. What I find interesting is I would argue Rose is in almost the exact same situation as Drury was last summer. The Rangers were coming off an ECF run, and obviously very clearly needed major core changes after the Florida loss, it was obvious to anyone who was paying close attention. Drury fell into the trap of "we just made the ECF, how can I make major changes, we don't need that", and the rest is history as the Rangers had a horrific season. The Knicks are coming off an ECF run, they don't need major core changes, but obviously very clearly need a new coach, and one more very good player to be a legit title contender, it is obvious to anyone paying close attention. Will Rose fall into the Drury trap "we just made the ECF, how can I fire the coach, and we don't need another very good player, we don't need that". He must have the foresight to see big picture and know what the team needs, he cannot be fooled like Drury was. I have faith in Rose, but I also understand it is going to be extremely difficult to fire the coach after an ECF trip and making it further than the Knicks have in 25 years. Adding another very good player may be a challenge also due to available tradable assets and cap flexibility, but Rose must find a way to do it. The Knicks are not good enough as is, that's just reality, staying the course with this roster is dooming the Knicks to a very good but not a great title contending team, and that is worst thing to be. If Tibs stays I fear the Knicks will not make it back to the ECF next season, let alone win the title. It's a huge test for Rose this summer. Drury failed the test miserably, and we paid for it as Rangers fans (I am hopeful he does much better on the test this summer). Will Rose pass the test, or do we have to suffer through a major step back Knicks season, we'll see.
